I was once told, “You live how you breathe.” At that time I was barely breathing enough to stay alive. I wasn’t sick or struck with an illness, yet I could go for hours without taking a full breath. I had developed a breathing pattern that was shallow and kept me from feeling grief, sadness, anxiety, and fear. It also prevented me from feeling happiness, joy, contentment, and a connection with myself and others.

Deep breathing, according to some researchers, is an effective, drug-free way of reducing stress and feelings of anxiety. The following is a breathing exercise from the American Academy of Family Physicians: